Home among the gum trees

The first time I saw our house I knew it was for us. It was a feeling. A GREAT feeling. I have come to realise that when a gal gets a feeling (and a strong one at that), come hell or high water, nothing is going to alter that feeling. It works out remarkably well that Scott is more than happy to relinquish any choices to do with the home to me. With the exception of the actual location of course. That one, we need to be in agreement on. 

I can clearly remember walking through the front door and thinking how narrow it was. Being a terrace house, there wasn't much chance of it being anything other than small and I did know this. I had already done my online research thoroughly. Seen the measurements. In turn, measured our existing furnishings in our equally tiny apartment. I actually even snuck off on a Saturday morning, an eighteen month old Angus perched on my hip, while Scott was playing golf. I recall not being too concerned about viewing it on my own, as like so many other places I/we had looked at, I didn't hold out a great deal of hope that this was "the one". That was until I stepped inside.

Apart from it being in all round excellent condition (particularly for a dwelling built circa 1885), it had a true sense of coziness about it. A place I knew I could call home. As I wandered through, I was completely blown away by the magnificent gum trees towering sky high just past the courtyard. Creating an almost country like scene, from both the kitchen picture window and one of the upstairs bedrooms. If I had not already known this place was actually within a 5km radius of the city, I would have thought it was miles from anywhere. Those incredible gums. Stretching so tall and proud against the backdrop of blue sky. 

Fast forward 18 months to the present and my original romantic illusions are somewhat plagued. I feel now I have learnt five key things about trying to acquire your own little piece of country... in the big city: 

1. Gum trees lose their leaves ALL. YEAR. LONG - our courtyard testament to this, flaunting a permanent gum leaf carpet. Perfect if we owned a pet koala. Not so perfect for trying to keep a paved courtyard looking fresh and clean. LOTS and LOTS of maintenance. 
2. Gum nuts drop twice the quantity AND twice as often as the leaves do - Unfortunately they are nowhere near as delicate under foot either. Not to mention they have an artful way of lodging themselves into anything and everything! Socks, undies, shoes... the list goes on.
3. Eucalyptus isn't always an alluring native fragrance - as un-Australian as that statement may be, during wet weather, sweet eucalyptus scent transforms into a determined pungent stench. Similar only to that of a territorial tomcat, who is yet to be desexed. Quite repulsive.
4. If the wind is a-blowing, the gum tree will be a-swaying - we have experienced a handful of gale force wind storms, each and every time leaving us praying that the giant limbs teetering over our yard, will in fact stay connected to the main trunk of the tree. NOT plummet down through the roof of our bathroom or kitchen. The clean up after such storms once again exceeds the general leaf/gum nut clean up... two fold. 
5. Finally, a fairly obvious lesson I have learnt... massive trees have equally massive root structure - it took me three plumber visits and over $5000 in repairs, in our first year of living here, to fully fathom the damage tree roots can do to the sewer line/drainage of a built up, suburban based terrace house. OUCH!

Scott, myself and our neighbours have often wondered why trees of this size and structure were ever even planted in the middle of suburbia. We've discussed it at length and contemplated a solution to our 'lessons learnt'. Essentially they are on public land, which just so happens to be land at the foot of our properties. Probably the result of someone's whimsical dream way back when. A way of providing shade, a sanctuary for bird and other wildlife, a little piece of country within the city, maybe? It's anybody's guess. But looking out of my boy's bedroom window on these summer evenings, as I close the blinds on the day, I can actually see why someone would want to create this type of setting. It's peaceful and bright. Appealing to the eye. It is the view I fell in love with the very first time I laid eyes on it. Hard lessons learnt and all, I do have a soft spot for those pesky gums.

Under The Weather

It seems both my boys are not sparking on all plugs at the moment (my Mama has long used this expression for when my brothers or I are not well). It started off with a few sniffles and a bit of congestion in Angus. Overnight it seems to have hopped on over to baby Felix. Poor little mite woke this morning with a very wet nose. So sad to see him this way. He still manages a smile, a chuckle, even a cuddle. It is hard to tell that he's unwell at all. Except he's nowhere near as ravenous as he usually is about his vegies and he's a wee bit cranky. Oh and of course, nose running like a tap! I feel so fortunate that this is only the second time Felix has been unwell, ever. In saying that, I still don't like it and can't wait until both my little boys are back to their buoyant, cheeky best.

Given poor health and a gloomily overcast morning, I made an executive decision early, that it would be a stay at home day. Always fraught with disaster are the stay at home days. During wet weather spells, I simply dread being stuck inside all day. Not that we find it hard to keep ourselves occupied, but the mindset of being cooped up, without fresh air pumping through our lungs. Makes me feel quite nauseous thinking about it. However, considering two young sickies and a mama with a somewhat scratchy throat herself, it seemed the right decision for today. 

To my surprise, it actually wasn't as bad as I'd mentally prepared for. We ploughed through lots of housework, something Angus is only too happy to partake in. We played and chatted. We did lock horns a couple of times, but this is to be expected on stay at home days. We made ourselves a slapped together lunch of cheese, olives, jatz, raisin toast and fresh fruit. Unconventional, yet fulfilling. Most importantly, Felix napped precisely when he needed to, often a benefit of being at home.

Hopefully my boys can kick this summer nasty really quickly (and maybe not share it quite as much with Scott and I in the meantime) so that we can all get back to feeling on top of the world. Much like Angus in these pictures taken last weekend during the scorching hot heat wave we all endured. Cavorting around, cooling off, under the hose at Nana & Pop's place. Nice to witness my son enjoying the simple pleasures I also indulged in, growing up in this glorious quarter acre piece of paradise.

Dancin' the night away

I don't get out often. Sounds a little depressing to start off like this. I actually mean out on the town. With the gals. Kicking up our heels. Without a care in the world. These days a nice satisfying dinner, trip to the movies or play date with all the kiddies, is more on my agenda. All of which definitely good stuff. However, there is something that every once in a while I simply LOVE to do. If the opportunity arises, be it a birthday, wedding, concert or even a hen's night. I am in my element and feel completely and unashamedly liberated, when I am dancing. Wild. Crazy. Sweat inducing. D-a-n-c-i-n-g. 

Saturday night undeniably belonged to the ladies. Or hen's as it were. My beautiful, dear, childhood friend Kristy, being the chief hen. For once, it was a hen's night consisting of all good clean fun. No sleazy stripper in sight. No ridiculous pranks or dares. Just a bunch of old (and I mean long term, not age) friends livin' it up in the big city. Back in the day, long before marriage and children and mortgages, night's like Saturday were a weekend ritual. We all met in high school (some 19 years ago... yikes!) and a few of us don't get to see one another near enough nowadays. But I'm a firm believer that time will always stand still for good friendships.

So we conquered The Rocks, glasses topped full of our chosen poison. Talking, giggling, squealing and I may have mentioned... DANCING. Around midnight, we decided to take a short stroll a little further uptown to one of Sydney's oldest and most established pubs, Jackson's on George. It is old school dingy, despite evidently undergoing a little makeover since I was last there. But just as I remember, it delivers a good mix of dance classics. Modern and not so modern. We melted through a stifling Sydney heat wave, but it failed to deter us from carving up the dance floor. Feeling eighteen once again. Well, almost eighteen. Few more wrinkles and grey hairs. Slightly less stamina. Though it sure did transport us back to a fun loving time. We made it into the wee hours of Sunday, so I guess we still have "it" in some capacity, for a bunch of thirty somethings anyway. Oh! how I enjoy a boogie with friends.


My fabulous friend Rach captured these golden moments during her snap happy frenzy. A couple of them are utterly cringe-worthy. But wonderfully memorable all the same.

A week of firsts

This week we had one major first, which seemed to consume alot of my thinking space. It was at the forefront of my mind for much of the week. When it wasn't at the front, it lingered at the back. Essentially, it controlled my feelings, actions and mood. With all the trepidation, the tears and at times excitement, I am glad we now have this particular first behind us. It made this one feel like a terribly long, drawn out week. We're all worn out. Over it. In need of some down time. Though I remain filled with promise that each week will indeed get easier. Step by step. Preschool will become a customary part of our lives. 


Another first this week, has been in the personal achievement category. My first proper exercise session of 2011. Actually it was well before Christmas since my last true workout, by this I mean a full blown sweat fest. It has made me feel rather gloomy at various stages, being in a fitness lull. I made a deal with myself that as soon as Angus started preschool, I would incorporate exercise into at least some of the spare time I have without him. So during both two hour orientation mornings and today, I hit the pavement. Working Felix's morning nap in nicely, I walked approximately 5km on each of the days, while he slept. Three power walk stints in five days. Mildly impressed with myself over that. 


By far the most enjoyable first of this week happened today. Felix experienced his very first ocean dip. His adorable smile spoke a thousand words. He was enraptured. Angus was a bit older when he took his first step into the sea. He was guarded and slightly more reluctant than Felix was today. It's a shame I was unable to freeze frame the enthusiasm on his chubby face during, but I did manage to take a cheerful shot as he was drying off after his swim. Amidst what is reported to be Sydney's longest heat wave on record, it felt thoroughly fitting to plonk the little guy into one of Coogee's most glorious ocean pools. A perfect spot for the little ones. Truly a moment I will treasure forever. I think I could get used to more of this one-on-one time with my seven month old companion.

Day One... Tick!

Today was Angus' first official day of preschool. It went pretty well. Though I think it is going to be a little rough for a while. I cried. AGAIN. Not in front of him today. But as soon as I walked out the gate, my throat constricted and the all too familiar salty discharge filled my eyes. I felt an unmistakable sense of emptiness as I drove away. It felt too easy, too lazy almost, having to handle just the one baby. It's only been seven months and already I've forgotten what it's like to be a one child woman.


So with my new found "freedom" (so everyone keeps informing me), I hit the local Baker's Delight, to select a tasty array of goodies. Not all for myself. I may have been miserable, but comfort eating only gets me so far. Instead I took them straight to a friend's place, to share over a few laughs and a nice catch up with some great mates. The four of us, each with a babe under one year, take every opportunity to get together when we can. It's always good therapy and today it was just the ticket for me. A few hours with the gals eased me through the first day without my little man.


Of course, I was the first parent to arrive for pickup. I had little doubt I would be. I was SO excited to see him and I think the feeling was mutual. He literally jumped at me, very nearly bowling me over from my kneeling position. With that, I felt whole again. I know it will get easier with time and who knows I might even look forward to sending him on his merry little way one day. But for now, I'll be the first mama hen to arrive at the gate for pickup each afternoon.


So today I am thankful for a great many things. For wonderful friends, who are always there and take the sting out of arduous moments. For Baker's Delight, who bake just about the best spinach & feta twists and choc mud scones I've ever tasted. For my second born, Felix Andrew, who gives me joy and hope in the fact that he's only a baby and I still have a few years left to nurture, cherish and smother him with love, before he heads off to preschool. And for the little preschooler called Angus, who's contagious sparkle never fails to bring light into my life. Now, even more than ever. 

Her beauty AND her terror

I found myself partially glued to the tele for much of this morning. Fairly unusual for me actually. Channel seven have been running an extended coverage of the forecast on cyclone Yasi, with journalists posted at various points throughout Queensland. I feel as though Queensland (and Australia for that matter) has been in a continuous cycle of natural disaster for a while now. Floods, bush fires, now cyclones. Quite frankly, it is frightening. I realise I have had a rather tumultuous week. My little big boy starting preschool. There has been a degree of emotional anguish expended around that, I know. But I couldn't help but tear up when seeing residents, the premier of Queensland, even the presenters on Sunrise speak about the expected devastation, this cyclone will bring. I know I wouldn't want to be in the position they are facing. Wouldn't want my family or my friends to be going through those terrifying feelings and moments of sheer panic. It really strikes a chord close to my heart, as I'm sure it does most human beings.


We have been to Cairns and Port Douglas. A couple of times. We honeymooned in that region and revisited it again when I was just 9 weeks pregnant with Felix. On that most recent trip we actually drove out through Innisfail to a tourist attraction called Paronella Park. It is a magic part of Australia, the world for that matter.  The locals are a wonderful bunch of people. Laid back and extremely hospitable. No one deserves to experience the kind of fear a category five cyclone will bring and it breaks me to think of these towns and communities in Northern Queensland going through this. It really reinforces the fact that when you live in Australia, you truly never stop dealing with mother nature's wrath. It is greater than all of us.


Onto a more uplifting note. We generally have to park our car a short walk from our place (no off street parking in this neck of the woods!). When parking the car this afternoon, I captured a shot of the scene that delivers so much happiness to all of my family, on a daily basis. Peering through the shady umbrella overhead. Dappled sunlight showering the ground below. The playground responsible for so much fun, laughter and memories, off in the distance. A place that reassures me every time I see it, that I am home. I simply couldn't help grabbing my camera and clicking away. Although I recognise the physical picture may not quite convey the mental picture I was trying to accomplish, it is beauty to me.

Sizzle & Sweat

Sheesh. Is it HOT or what? I mean I actually don't mind it too much, as we haven't really had a proper summer (up until this last week or so) anyway. So it's sort of overdue heat the way I see it. I am fairly certain there is not one place on my body that isn't in a sweat induced state of trauma. Under my eyes even have little beads pooling right now! Yes, it's really packin' some heat in our tiny tin-roofed terrace tonight.


I am overwhelmingly pleased to say that today we had a better day. Hooray! Day two of preschool orientation went relatively smoothly. With a little conversation and some carefully positioned coaxing prior, we both made it across the line without any tears. Ok, we got through the drop-off part without tears. I still lost it once I was back in the car, but they were private Mama sobs and they only lasted for a few minutes.


At this point, I'm feeling a teeny bit more confident about the two days per week of preschool we're about to embark on. It's going to take time though, I can see that already. It doesn't sit well with me, leaving my baby with what are essentially strangers. Both my boys have only ever been left with my parents or Scott, every other moment, they have been by my side. It's extremely rare for me to leave them at all. Therefore we're definitely looking at a work in progress for me. For now, I'll choose to focus on the positive aspects and just take each preschool day as it comes.


We managed some beach time this afternoon also, a little respite from the sizzling heat. I actually walked past Clovelly Beach earlier in the day (while filling in time during Angus' orientation) and was mesmerized by how incredible the water looked. Sometimes I look at the beaches around here, the cliffs, the rocks, the crystal clear water and I could almost trick myself to believe they are exotic hideaways, miles away from the city that surrounds them. Seeing the water looking so darn inviting, prompted me to head back, both boys in tow, for an invigorating dip.


Unfortunately, not being a great follower of the tides, I was somewhat disappointed with the low tide in place by the time we got down there. Nor did I anticipate Angus' reluctance to even want to put a toe in the water with me. So my fanciful thoughts of an afternoon bathing restfully in the sun ended up being just that. Fanciful thoughts. We did however enjoy alot of Mama/Angus time while Felix napped. Building sandcastles and awesome sand creatures with the fabulous beach bag o' tricks Angus received for Christmas. So all was not lost. 


Low tide and mossy, manky rocks aside, I am still very much in love with this beach. A perfect place to conquer the sizzle and sweat on a scorching February day.